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'Whiplash': Without ability you will end up playing in a rock'n roll band.

108.81.116.219

Billy Wonka

This wall poster flashes behind Miles Teller at the music school. Glad they think that way--it explains a lot.
Well, after I came out into the light of day I felt a strong urge for a drink. This is NOT a peaceful, Zen-type movie. No, it's more like the Lee Ermey of band directors dishing out Paris Island Horrorshow music education to cowed, doe-eyed aspirants. Teller catches the ear of J K Simmons who invites him for a sit-in with his academy studio band. Hence, an unholy marriage made in musical hell.
Simmons has a deviant, cruel, perfectionist style that is merciless but necessary for the success of his students--so he thinks. Teller (only 19 in the film) wants to be a legendary jazz great and barely gets into the school where Simmons teaches.
After many ups and downs we get to the final act which tested my nerves worse than anything I can remember of late. It becomes a battle between a young man who performs his swan song to an esteemed audience and his nemesis who will not ever give up pushing.
J K Simmons owns this one. One of those "born to play" roles that demands his looks and timbre. Teller isn't bad and the side characters are good but just random embellishments in between drumming and screaming.
Simmons reminded me why I never learned an instrument. Our junior high band director was known to scream and throw drum sticks and that was too much for my delicate sensitivities. Big Band is a cruel and temperamental world, I suppose.
Anyone who has played will pretty much get off on this film. Good luck to JK as this should be his time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d_jQycdQGo (Open in New Window)

Edits: 01/24/15 01/24/15

Follow Ups:

This one is next on my list...have liked J K Simmons since HBO's Oz - Mark Man 15:25:12 01/25/15 (0)
I saw an interview with him about this role and the Maniacal pr!ck he plays...he is classically trained musician that went to a similar school as the one in the movie...that hand gesture he uses to make everyone stop, is something he picked up at school...

He is one of those actors I just really find interesting...typically does not phone it in...

Thanks BW
Mark
The boy just called and said he and hi gf are headed to this after dinner at Copelands - Road Warrior 15:54:32 01/24/15 (5)
Slight possibility that GF may get her way and they'll end up at Birdman. Make that a large possibility.
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"Have you a water buffalo?"
- GF will not like Birdman. Does she think it's warmer and fuzzier? She's in for a shock, eh? nt - tinear 07:12:01 01/26/15 (2)
  fds
  - Update, The Boy liked it, GF, kinda wishy washy, not her cuppa, yada yada yada..^ - Road Warrior 15:35:40 02/01/15 (0)
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    "Have you a water buffalo?"
  - They ended up not going, Too full after dinner at Copelands - Road Warrior 20:06:52 01/26/15 (0)
    She's a movie hound with pretty good taste, like the boy.
    I think I could eat myself into a stupor at Copelands as well.
    Further into the menu you go, the better it gets. Regional chain, but to die for. \\\
    BTW, the son had texted me they were headed to Birdman but the next day he said they did a U-turn on the way.
    
    ----------------------
    
    "Have you a water buffalo?"
    - Better than popeyes! (Open in New Window)
    Edits: 01/26/15 01/27/15
- 'Birdman' will be better for their digestion. * - Billy Wonka 16:08:54 01/24/15 (1)
  .
  - Guess who got her way?^ - Road Warrior 09:30:36 01/25/15 (0)
    ----------------------
    
    "Have you a water buffalo?"

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